July in the City ….. old favourites and new ones

Now I think Cathedral Gardens is one of those open spaces in the city which works.

Manchester shapes, 2022

On a hot summer’s day, it attracts plenty of people and unlike Exchange Square, its nearby neighbour it has the advantage of grass and plenty of it.

It is also a spot which offers up scenes of the changing landscape of this bit of the city.

I remain undecided about the architectural merits of the tower block of the Hotel Indigo, but it does add to the shape of the skyline.

Its site tells me that it has 187 bedrooms and has retained many of the original features of the Victorian building which is part of the hotel. *

And just a few steps away is The Glade of Light, the “memorial commemorating the victims of the 22 May 2017 terrorist attack at Manchester Arena. 

Glade of Light, 2022

It honours the 22 people whose lives were taken, as well as remembering everyone who was left injured or affected. 

The Glade of Light was designed to be a living memorial, a tranquil garden space for remembrance and reflection. Its peaceful surroundings are intended as the setting for commemorative events in the city relating to the attack”. **

Location; Manchester

Pictures; Manchester Shapes, 2022 and the Glade of Light, 2022, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

* Hotel Indigo, https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/gb/en/manchester/manvn/hoteldetail

**The Glade Of Light Memorial, https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500369/glade_of_light_memorial/8206/the_glade_of_light_memorial